2.11.10

Looking for halal "dim sum"?


Unlike in other parts of Kelantan where one would be able to find the famous "keropok lekor" in almost every restaurant, finding it in Galas is not that easy as most of the operators are not locals and mostly from Thailand.

One such operator is Aminah Zahari, 21, who is of Thai parentage and now operates a restaurant selling "pau" along Jalan Pulai here - probably the only outlet where one can get halal "dim-sum" in Galas.

"Most restaurant operators here are Thais. Our restaurant is 23 year old and about two years ago, we decided to sell pau and dim-sum after realising there was a strong demand from the Chinese community here.

"Since then, even the Malays here have developed a liking for it and it is now a hit here," she said.

The fact that Aminah speaks fluent Mandarin makes it easier for her to interact with her customers.

"Some of our customers come in for breakfast and lunch, while most drop in for tea," she said, adding that she learnt Mandarin while studying at a Chinese kindergarten at the New Village here.

There are two Chinese kindergartens in this town with a fair mix of children of all races.




A loyal customer, Ah Kang, who has been frequenting the restaurant said on Thursdays, they would serve "special" dim-sum and pau from Thailand and it was something the locals here looked forward to.

"Everyone here is friendly and the food is good. Besides, there is no other place in Galas where we can get dim-sum," he said.

Aminah's restaurant is among those enjoying extra brisk business during this campaign season, especially since it is located next to a hotel and opposite the Pas operations centre.

Due to the overwhelming business, her sister, Aishah Zahari, 16, who lives and studies in Langkawi decided to come back and help her family.

"I was told that there was just too much for my family to handle and so I decided to come home and help out," she said, adding that they did not increase their prices to cash in on the boom in business.

Unlike Aminah's restaurant, most others have taken advantage of the by-election crowd, with some increasing their prices by almost 100 per cent.

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